Commissioner urges parents to vaccinate against polio amid rising risks for unprotected children

Taraba State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bordiya G. Buma, on Saturday, issued an urgent reminder to parents and guardians on the critical need for polio vaccination, especially for children under five who are most susceptible to the disease.

Speaking at the October 2024 Outbreak Response (OBR) event at Mayio-Gwai Primary Health Care Center, he warned that unvaccinated children face a significant risk of contracting polio.

Describing polio as a highly infectious virus that can lead to paralysis or even death in severe cases, Buma emphasized that the virus spreads via the fecal-oral route, and the best defense against it is complete immunization.

He noted that while there is no cure, vaccination remains the only effective method to halt its spread.

The campaign primarily targets the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), a form of the disease that poses an ongoing threat in areas with low immunization rates.

He noted that full protection is achieved only through multiple doses of the polio vaccine, which is free, safe, and essential for lifelong immunity.

The commissioner also praised the efforts of Taraba State governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and underscored the need for community support in vaccination efforts to prevent any resurgence of polio in the state.

He urged parents to make sure their children complete the vaccination schedule, highlighting that one in every 200 polio infections can lead to permanent paralysis, with a 2-10 percent fatality rate among those paralyzed.

Echoing the commissioner’s message, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr.Tukura Nuhu, called on the community to stay committed to eradicating polio.

Key partners, including UNICEF, WHO, and the Chigari Foundation, also pledged their support to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign and the elimination of child killer diseases in Taraba State.